Demystifying Astrology

By Lisa Verschoor

There has always been a great deal of mystery surround-ing Astrology.
As with most sciences, it has, on occasion, been beneficial
to the professionals involved to make it appear mysterious. Yet I
truly believe that anyone with reasonable intelligence can construct
a chart and locate and place the planets in their respective locations
within the chart. The demands are primarily mathematical.

The
interpretations of these maps and the analysis with which
they are read, however, is not so easy. This is the discipline of a
professional Astrologer. In the same way we would not expect a sailor
to become proficient at the helm by handing him navigational maps
and expecting him to navigate through weather and questionable territory,
one would be quite lost having an astrological chart in hand without
the guidance of a skilled Astrologer. Their expertise is a culmination
of the ability to blend intuition and wisdom through the ongoing practice
of reading charts, and recognizing the inherent patterns and energies
that are becoming activated within a chart for a specific period of
time.

While the predictions may have a variable outcome, based
entirely on the free will of the person for whom they are made, the
latent tendencies and intrinsic paradigms of energy are always
accurately revealed. It is ultimately up to the individual as to how
they choose to play out such tendencies.

For example, a client
may have the planet Pluto transiting their 7th house of marriage. This
planet is slow moving and brings a tremendous amount of power and transformative
energy along with it. As Pluto has the reputation for transforming
whatever it touches through death and rebirth, the energy is unavoidable.
The marriage would dissolve if it were not built on a solid foundation
based on the partners ability to change and grow together. However,
the individuals may choose to work through and totally restructure
the marriage, metamorphosing it and making it a solid, workable union
. Either way, clients benefit by knowing they have a choice, that these
changes are imminent, and that there is a specific time frame within
which this will occur.

In other words, conscious decisions can
be made as to how best to work with a particular astrological energy.
This awareness empowers the individual with more choices that are
psychologically healthy and relevant to the souls development.
Insights into underlying causes of particular circumstances in our
lives can lead us on an inward journey towards self-awareness. The
aspects of ourselves that are revealed that may, heretofore, have been
difficult to understand are brought into conscious awareness, so that
they may be integrated and reconciled. Astrology is a very valuable
tool for addressing these issues and moving through them.

It is
widely recognized by more and more people today that the psychic expression
of most illnesses within our bodies is biochemical. Thus, by enhancing
our knowledge of ourselves and being offered the option of changing
our perception about particular circumstances in our lives, we can
work at changing our emotional bodies and rebalancing our inner chemistry.
Change your mind, change your life. This approach, along with utilizing
nutritional balancing, exercise, meditation and therapeutic touch has
had widely acclaimed results in healing.

The two primary functions
of Astrology are first, to give the physical life of the soul in this
incarnation a meaning and a purpose. This is principally done by using
a psychological assessment of the potentials in a chart. The second
main function is to make predictions and give guidance, with a reasonable
amount of accuracy, based on the information in the chart.

Charts
are cast for the exact moment of birth by using the time, place and
date of birth of the client. The planetary positions are located and
the degree (there are 30 degrees in each of the 12 signs) and sign
that they occupy based on the longitude and latitude at the birthplace.
This is true whether it is a chart of an individual, a business, a
marriage, a family pet, or anything with a physical beginning. The
chart is made up of houses, signs and planets. The houses represent
a specific area of lifefor instance, the 1st house, also referred
to as the rising sign, represents how a person projects and filters
the personality and self image. The twelve signs indicate attitudes
towards life and personality traits. The planets are archetypically
referred to as the messengers of the Universe. By their
continual motion through the houses and signs, they bring us the opportunities
for soul growth necessary for unfoldment.

Significant Astrological
Aspects coming up this fall:

August 29 - Virgo New Moon and Mars
and Uranus are opposite each other. Harvest season coincides with doing
some internal harvesting. Think of ways to be of service to others
(Virgo). Work at staying centered, as things may appear chaotic with
this line-up. Meditate on what you wish to bring into your lifenew
moons are new beginnings.

Sept. 13 - Pisces Full Moon/Harvest
Moonuse this energy to heal and bless Mother Earth. Spiritual
growth and service to others accented. Important developments in healing
make news. Sign up for a sweat lodge at Spirit Hollow.

Sept. 27
- Libra New Moon. Since Libra rules the 7th house of relationships,
why not plant seeds for new beginnings...work at maintaining balance.
Other planetary aspects indicate tensions that force us to expand
and realign our energy.